Apparatus for handling material alternatively from two separate sources



T. F. ARONSON APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MATERIAL ALTERNATIVELY FROM 'rwoSEPARATE SOURCES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 20, 1968 A INVENTO'R." A73:00am: F. ARONJON flrramvs Y.

Oct; 7, 1969 T. F. ARONSON 3,471,061

, APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MATERIAL ALTERNATIVELY FROM TWO SEPARATESOURCES Filed June 20, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 vFig.2

INVENTOR. F'LODORE FT Aka/v.30

' Oct. 7, 1969 T. AR-ONSON 3,471,061 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MATERIALALTERNATIVELY FROM TWO SEPARATE SOURCES Filed June 20. 1968 3Sheets-Sheet 3 LO 1 g 4/, :r. *K 9' LL I v INVENTOR. file-000k: F.Anon/so ATTORNEY United States Patent US. Cl. 222-141 18 Claims ABSTRACTOF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure is directed to a material handlingmethod and apparatus by which an article or a measured amount ofa givenmaterial is predetermined at a point ofsupply and picked up, transportedor moved to a point remote from the supply source, and then released ordeposited into a suitable receiver or container. This is preferablyattained by coupled material handling means which are moved in unison sothat as an article or predetermined amount of material is beingdeposited or released at one point by one of the material handlingmeans, the next succeeding article or amount of material issimultaneously being determined at a remote point of supply by the othermaterial handling means.

The problem in the art Heretofore considerable difficulty has beenencountered in remotely measuring and/or positioning a predeterminedamount of material into a given container located at a point remote fromthe source of supply. These material handling problems were furtheraggravated when the material to be handled constituted highly explosivetype powders such as gun powder class B HMX, Grade 2 TVA lead azide,lead styphnate, tracer powder mixes, pyrotechnic smoke mixes, and thelike, because of the accuracy of measure required and the ever presentdanger of explosion. Because many of these explosive type materials areextremely sensitive it was heretofore considered that such materialcould only be safely handled manual- 1y. However, such manual operationsexposed the handler to the hazard of explosion. Not infrequently suchexplosions have killed or maimed many employees. Also with non-explosivepowders such as sulphadrugs, powdered vitamins, and various othermedical powders, it was difficult to load capsules or containers withprescribed predetermined measured amount of such powders in a totallyantiseptic or sterile environmentif the measuring of such powderedmaterial required manual handling- It is therefore an object of thisinvention to provide a method and apparatus for effecting the remotehandling of various materials as, for example, powder-like materialswherein predetermined measured amounts of such material require accuratedetermination and positioning in containers at a point remote from thesource of supply in a manner which is both safe and/ or sterile.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus for enhancing amaterial handling operation by providing a prescribed measured amount ofmaterial being predetermined as the previously determined amount ofmaterial is being simultaneously deposited with a container adapt-' edto receive the same. Another object resides in provision of a method andapparatus wherein charging and discharging of predetermined article oramount of material may be effected simultaneously in a repetitiveintermittent cycle.

The foregoing objects and other features and advantages of thisinvention .are attained by a method comprising the steps of effectivelycharging a container with a the determination of the next succeedingcharge of ma terial to be loaded at a Supply source located at a pointremote from the charging point of the container, and thereafter movingthe succeeding predetermined charge to the charging point remote fromthe supply source to charge the next succeeding container as the nextsucceeding charge is being predetermined at another point of supply. Inthe handling of certain materials, e.-g. powder materials, the methodfurther contemplates the step of determining the charge of powderedmaterial by positioning a measuring chamber of determined volume into abulk supply of the powdered material and subjecting the chamber to anegative pressure whereby the chamber is charged with the powderedmaterial, the negative charge being maintained on the chamber until thechamber has been moved to a point of discharge. The discharge of themeasuring chamber at the point of discharge is effected by removing thenegative pressure thereon and subjecting the charge therein to a forceof a positive fluid pressure.

To insure the positioning of the measuring chamber into the supply ofpowdered material during each charging operation, the supply is rotatedan incremental amount.

While the method may be satisfactorily performed manually, it ispreferred that the method be automatical- 1y performed. This is attainedby an apparatus comprising a frame or housing having a pivot shaftrotatably supported thereon which is also free to reciprocate relativeto the housing. At least one, but preferably a'plurality of angularlydisposed arms are journalled to the shaft for movement therewith. Amaterial handling or pickup means is connected to the end of each arm.For handling powdered material the pickup means comprises a gun havingan outer elongated tubular barrel having an end wall disposedintermediate the ends of the tubular member to define a measuringchamber in one end of the barrel. The end wall is preferably formed as apiston head of a material pervious to air and impervious to the powderedmaterial adapted to be charged into the chamber. Means are connected tothe other end of the tubular member to connect it to a source of fluidpressure as for example an air pump so that the side of the pistonopposite the measuring chamber is subjected to a fluid pressure.

A supply means for containing a supply of powdered material is disposedto one side of the housing and a means is operatively associated withthe supply means for effecting intermittent rotation of the supplymeans.

A drive means is provided for actuating the movement of the pickup meansin a predetermined cycle of operation, and the drive means includes adrive shaft journalled within the housing and a reversible power sourceor prime mover operatively connected to the drive' shaft 'to effect therotation of the drive shaft in alternate clockwise and counterclockwiserotation. A complementary coupling means is provided for interconnectingthe drive shaft into driving relationship with the pivot shaft of thepickup means. Preferably the coupling means comprises a first drivingmember connected to the drive shaft and a complementary driven genevamember connected to the pivot shaft. An actuating means in the form of acam is connected to the drive shaft to be rotated therewith. The cam isoperatively associated with the pivot shaft to effect reciprocalmovement thereof within the housing in timed relationship to the driveof the pickup means. Operatively connected to the cam meanspredetermined charge of material simultaneously with is a means toimpart alternate reciprocal movement to the means for impartingintermittent rotation to the respective supply means.

The arrangement is such that. actuation of the drive 3 means will causethe plurality of angularly disposed arms and pickup means connectedthereto, to effect the determination of a predetermined measured amountof powdered material at one point while a previously loaded pickup meansis being discharged at a point remote from the supply point. The drivemeans by effecting alternate or reverse rotation of the drive shaftsimparts an oscillating movement to the arms and connected pickup meansso that the cycle of operation is rendered repetitive to simultaneouslyeffect the picking up of a predetermined measured amount of material atone point as a previously loaded charge is discharged at a point remotefrom the point of supply.

The actuating means, operatively associated with the drive means andoperating on the pivot shaft is timed so that the respective armsjournaled to the pivot shaft and the connected pickup means are raisedand lowered in unison to position the respective pickup means at thepoint of supply and point of discharge. To insure accurate positioningof the pickup means relative to the point of supply and point ofdischarge, aligning means are provided to positively position and locatethe pickup means in the lowered position thereof.

A feature of this invention resides in a method and apparatus whereinpredetermined amounts of a powdered material can be accurately andprecisely measured at one point while a previously measured amount ofmaterial may be deposited into a suitable receiver at a point remotefrom the supply source.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a method and apparatusfor repeatedly charging a measuring chamber with a predetermined amountof powdered material by subjecting the chamber to a negative fluidpressure and transporting and positioning of the charge chamber at asecond point whereby the material is discharged from the measuringchamber under the influence of a positive fluid pressure.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a methodand apparatus having coupled measuring chambers operatively associatedso that as one is being charged with a given amount of material theother is being discharged.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a methodand apparatus for effectively handling highly explosive materials in asafe and positive manner heretofore not considered possible.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the apparatus embodying the presentinvention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 on FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged detailed view illustrating the means by whichthe supply means are rotated incremental amounts during the operation ofthe apparatus of FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 isfan enlarged detailed section view taken along line 4-4 ofthe supply station.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged detail of a particular form of power means foreffecting the drive of the apparatus of FIGURES land 2.

The present invention contemplates a method and apparatus for handlingan article or material substances in a repetitive manner whereby anarticle or material supplied at one pointis picked up in a positivemanner, transported to a point remote from the supply point in a precisemanner, and deposited or released thereat. Preferably'the method isperformed so that as an article or a measured amount of material isbeing determined at apoint of supply, a'previously determined article ormeasured amount ofmaterial is being simultaneously deposited at'a pointremote from the point of supply. The determining of the article ormeasured amount of material is attained by positioning the end of ameasuring chamber into a supply of material and drawing an amount of thegiven material thereinto under the influence of a negative pressureenvironment. Thereafter the charged measuring chamber is withdrawn fromthe supply of material and moved to a point of discharge. The dischargeof the measured or determined material is eifected 'by subjecting thechamber to" a positive pressure. During transport of the material, thematerial is subjected to a negative pressure, and it is thus retained"within the measuring chamberj until discharged at a point removed fromthe source of supply. g

The method of this invention is particularly applicable to the handlingand loading of a powder-like material or substance into a container 'ofpredetermined volume. The method is'us'eful in measuring and loadingsuch powdered materials as for example chemical powders, powderedvitamins, medicinal powders, and the like 'in a. completely sterileenvironment or explosive powders, such as gunpowder, lead azide, leadstyphnate, tracer powder mixes, pyrotechnic smoke mixes and the like ina completely safe manner. The method described is particularlyapplicable to the remote handling of highly explosive powders whereinpredetermined amounts'of such powders can'be accurately measured as isvery much essential in the manufacture of an acceptable product, such asa detonator or the like. 4

While the method described can conceivably be manually performed, it ispreferred that the method be automatically performed by an apparatusillustrated in the drawings. Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, it is to benoted that the apparatus 20 by which the above foregoing method may beachieved comprises a supporting structure 21 illustrated in the form ofan inner housing 21A and an outer housing 21B. The inner housing 21Acomprises a plurality of spaced upright walls 22 supported on a basemember 23 to define an enclosure 24. The base 23 is made sufficientlylarge so as to be common to both the inner andouter housing 21A, 21B.The outer housing 21B is defined by opposed upright end walls 26circumscribing the base 23 to enclose the inner housing 21A.

Referring to FIGURE 2, it will be noted that a first shaft or pivotshaft 27 is rotatably journalled in a suitable sleeve orbearing 27Aextending upwardly through the inner housing 21A. The shaft 27 beingalso mounted for relative reciprocal movement within the bearing sleeve27A. Connected to the upper end of the shaft 2 7 are a pair of angularlydisposed arms 28, 29 which extend radially therefrom. An extensionmember 28A, 29A extends outwardly from respective free endsfof theradially extending arms'28, 29 respectively. It will be noted thattheadjacent ends of theang ula'rly disposed arms 28,29 are suitably securedto the shaft, 'as for example by'a pin connection 30, 31. Indieillustrated form'the respective 'arms' 28, 29 are disposedat'substanti'ally a 90 degree angle. However, it will be readilyunderstood and appreciated that the angular position of 'the respectivearms is not critical, as they can be disposed at any desired angledepending upon theangular disposition between the point of supply andpoint of discharge.

Connected to the free end of the respectiveextensions 28A, 29A is 'amaterial handling means 32. It, wi1lbe understood that the materialhandling means may be particularly constructed and arranged so as toeffectively handle a particular material and/ or article. For purposesof I describing the illustrated form .of theinventionthe materialhandling means 32 is particularly constructed for handling powder-likematerials as, for example, medicinal powders chemical: powders,explosive powders, and various other granulated and/or 'finely dividedmaterials.

Referring to FIGURE 2, the material handling means 32cor'nprises anouter tubular member or barrel 33 which is suitably secured to'a fixture'34. As shown, the fixture 3 4'comprises a tubular member having achamber 35' formed therein which is adapted to be disposed intocommunication with thebore of the tubular member or barrel 33. The upperend of the fixture 34 is closed by suitable end cap 36. Disposedintermediate the ends of the tubular member or barrel 33 is an end wallor piston 37 which is preferably formed of a porous material that ispervious to air and impervious to the material being handled. The endwall 37 is suitably sealed to the internal walls of the tubular memberor barrel by a compressible sealing ring and defines in the lower end ofthe barrel a measuring chamber 38 of predetermined volume. If desired,the end wall or piston 37 may be adjustably disposed within the tubularmember or barrel 33 to vary the volume of the measuring chamber 39defined in the end of the barrel 33. The adjustability of the end wallor piston 37 is effected by an adjusting rod 40 connected to the piston37 and which extends upwardly therefrom and outwardly through a centralopening 36A formed in the end closure cap 36. Accordingly by raising orlowering the adjusting rod 46, the position of the inner end wall orporous piston 37 may be controlled accordingly to vary the volume orcapacity of the measuring chamber 39. Connected to the chamber portion35 of the fixture 34 is a conduit .41 which connects to a fluid pressurechamber 42 which is. in turn connected to a source of fluid pressure notshown by means of a connecting conduit 43. Mounted on the upper end ofthe inner housing is a power means 44 for effecting the drive of theapparatus through its operating sequence, as will be hereinafterdescribed. As shown, the drive means comprises a drive shaft; 45rotatably journalled within the housing and it is operatively associatedwith a power means 44. Preferably the power means comprises a reversiblepower source as for example an air motor, electric motor, and/ or afluid actuated piston and cylinder assembly arranged to effectoscillation of the drive shaft 45 in one direction and then the other.In the illustrated form the power source 44 comprises a fluid motorcomprising of means defining a power chamber or cylinder 46 in whichthere is reciprocally mounted a pair of piston heads 46A, 46Binterconnected by a tooth rack 47. The tooth rack 47, in turn, isdisposed in meshing relationship to complementary gear or gear portionconnected to or formed integral to an extended end portion 45A of adrive shaft 45. It will be noted that as fluid pressure is applied toone piston or the other 46B or 46A, the tooth rack 47 connectedtherebetween is displaced in one direction or the other. The reciprocalmovement of the rack 47 in turn imparts a rotation to the drive shaft 45in one direction or the other accordingly. The fluid pressure foreffecting the actuation of the drive means 44 may comprise compressedair developedvby an air compressor, not shown, the pressure of which issuitably directed to one piston or the other by a controlled arrangementthat includes suitable valve means 48, 49 to control the directionand/or exhaust of pressure to the respective piston chambers 46A,

Means are provided for interconnecting the drive shaft 45 into drivingrelationship with the pivot shaft 27 of the material handling means 28,29. In the illustrated form of the invention, the means comprises acomplementary coupling means in the form of driving geneva member 50fixed to the drive shaft 45 and a complementary driven geneva member 51journalled to the pivot shaft 27 of the material handling means. As bestseen in FIGURE 1 the driven geneva member 51 comprises a member which ispinned to shaft 27 and which member 51 is provided with an angularlydisposed slot 51A adapted to receive the driving end 50A of the drivegeneva member 50. The end walls 51B, 51B of the driven geneva member 51are formed with concave arcuate portion which is adapted to correspondto the outer circular periphery 50B of the driving geneva member 50. Thearrangement is such that in the lowered position of the pivot shaft 27as seen in FIGURE 2, the rotation of shaft 27 and the connected materialhandling means is prohibited. That is, the driven geneva member 51 islocked against rotation as the arcuate portion 51B engages the circularwall 50B of the driving member 50. Thus the drive between thecomplementary geneva members 50, 51 is not effected until the pivotshaft 27 and connected driven geneva member 51 is raised to a positionwherein the driving member 50A of the driving geneva 50 is arranged tobe received in slotted portion 51A of the driven geneva 51.

To effect the interconnection or driving relationship of the genevamembers 50, 51 to place the drive shaft into drive relationship withshaft 27, an actuating means 53 is operatively connected to the driveshaft 45 to time the reciprocation of shaft 27 to the rotation of thedriving geneva member 50.

The actuating means 53 in the illustrated form of the inventioncomprises a cam member 54 provided with a camming edge 54A and the cammember 54 is secured to the geneva member and associated drive shaft 45to rotate therewith. As the drive means 44 effects rotation of the driveshaft 45 in one direction e.g. counterclockwise as viewed in FIGURES land 2, the cam edge 54A of the actuating means 53 is disposed so thatthe lower end 27A of the shaft 27 defines a follower adapted to ride thesurface of the cam edge 54A. Thus the drive shaft 45 is rotated, theactuating means or cam 54 rotating therewith will cause the shaft 27 torise or lower as it follows the contour of the cam edge 54A, and thematerial handling means 28, 29 secured to shaft 27 are raised andlowered accordingly. When the driven geneva member 51 connected to shaft27 is raised and has its slot 50A disposed opposite the driving end ofthe driven geneva member, the engagement efi'ected therebetween causesthe driven geneva 50 and connected drive shaft 27 to be rotatedclockwise as viewed in FIGURE 1 an angular distance equal tosubstantially 90 degrees in the illustrated embodiment. The materialhandling means 28, 29 connected to shaft 27 are also rotated through alike distance of substantially 90 degrees. Counter rotation of the powermeans 44 effects dis-association of the drive geneva member 50, 51 and alowering of the pivot shaft 27 and connected material handling means 28,29, as the shaft follows the cam edge 54A in the opposite direction ofrotation.

As shown the upper end of the shaft 27 is biased by a spring 55interposed between a suitably fixed plate 56 and the upper radial armmember 28 of the material handling means. As the lower end 27A of theshaft 27 rides the cam surface 54A of the actuating means 53 to raisethe shaft, the spring is compressed and the energy thus stored is usedto return the shaft 27 to its lowered position as shown in FIGURE 2.Thus as the cam follower end 27A of the shaft 27 rides down the slope ofthe cam 54A the spring 55 acting on the material handling means 28functions to effect positive return of the material han dling means toits lowered position.

Referring to FIGURE 2, it will be noted that a supply source 57, 58 forthe material to be handled s disposed on either side of the housing orsupport member 21. As best seen in FIGURE 4, the means for containing asupply of material or powder comprises a container 59 having an annularrecess or channel 60 formed therein to define a reservoir for receivinga bulk supply of the material 61 to be handled. As shown, a portion ofthe annular recess 60 is adapted to be in communication to a fixedhopper 62 which contains a supply of powdered material 61 which may begradually fed into the annular recess 60 asthe material therein isremoved. The arrangement is such that the level of the material 61within the recess 60 container 59 is-maintained at a constant level.

1 As shown in FIGURE 4 the supply container 59-is removably seated upona rotatable turntable 63 journalled on the base 23 of the apparatusabout pivot 64. As noted in FIGURE 3, the turntable 63 includescircumferentially extending ratchet teeth-like structures 63A which areadapted to engage a ratchet pawl 64 mounted on the opposed end of areciprocating ratchet bar 65. Referring again to FIGURE 4, it is to benoted that the location of the supply means or container 59 is disposedbeneath the point at which the material handling gun 32 is lowered inthe material pickup position thereof. To insure against slippage betweenthe container 59 and the supporting turntable 63, it will be noted thatthe container is provided with small holes to receive a pin 66projecting upwardly from the turntable. Thus the container 59 willrotate with the turntable as will be hereinafter described. Connectedintermediate the ends of the cross bar or ratchet bar 65 is an operator67 which is adapted to operatively engage a driver 68 connected to thebottom of the actuating means or cam member 53. Accordingly it will benoted that whenever the drive shaft 45 and connected cam member 53 isrotated in one direction the driver 68 connected to the bottom of thecam will strike the drive and shift the ratchet bar 65 in one directioncausing the ratchet pawls connected to one end to ratchet the turntablea notch or an incremental amount. Accordingly the ratchet pawl willeffect the ratcheting of the associated turntable and powder supplymounted thereon in incremental amounts. On the return movement of thecam 53, the ratchet bar is shifted in the opposite direction. Therotation of the container 59 holding the supply of the material isdesired to assure that the pickup means or gun 32 when lowered into thematerial will engage a normal level of material to insure an accuratevolumetric measure of powdered material in the pickup means. As seen inFIGURE 4 a doctor blade 67 is mounted adjacent the container 59 to leveloff or remove any excess amount of material which may extend beyond theend of the tubular member or barrel 33 to insure an accuratepredetermined volumetric measure of the material to be handled upon eachcharging operation. Accurate alignment of the respective measuringchambers 39 in both the charging position and discharging positionthereof is attained by a pin and hole locating means. As best seen inFIGURE 1 the aligning means comprises an aperture or hole 67 formed ineach of the respective arms 28, 29 adapted to receive a locating pin 68mounted on the upper end of the inner housing 21A. As will be described,the pin 68 is shaped to guide and accurately locate the resepective arm28, 29 as the material handling means are raised and lowered in theirrespective loading and discharging position.

The respective arms 28, 29 supporting the pickup means 32 are arrangedso that as one pickup means is disposed above or in one of the supplymeans 59 to effect the charging of the measuring chamber 39, the gunconnected to the other arm is positioned at a point of discharge so thatthe measured amount of material carried therein may be ejected therefrominto a container or capsule 70 adapted to receive the charge. The cycleof the operation is such that the loaded chamber 39 is being dischargedinto a container 70 as the other 39 is being charged. The reversingdrive of the power means 44 is such that the respective guns 39 arealternately loaded and unloaded simultaneously and rotates from aloading position to the discharging position alternately. With thearrangement disclosed the production is greatly enhanced in that onepickup member 39 is disposed in a filling position while the other isbeing unloaded, and by alternating a movement of the respective pickupmeans in one direction and then the other, the arrangement is such thatone gun is'being loaded as the other is being discharged on eachalternate movement of the material handling'means. The operation of theapparatus is as follows:

In the position illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the pivot shaft 27 ofthe material handling means is positioned at a lowered position whereinthe pickup means 32 or gun carried by arm 28, 29 of the loading arm isdisposed within the recessed portion 60 of the supply container 59 in amanner illustrated in FIGURE 4. The other 8 gun means is disposed in itslowered position so that the end of the barrel 39 is disposedimmediately above the container or capsule 70 adapted to receive thepowdered charge contained therein. In the lowered position of therespective pickup means 32 the fluid pressure adapted to operate on eachis such that the fluid pressure operating on the chamber 39 located inthe supply means 59 is subjected to a negative pressure thereby causingan amount of the powdered "material disposed within the supply container59 to be drawn into the measuring chamber 39. Simultaneously therewiththe measuring chamber previously charged with the powdered material andlocated over capsule 70 is subjected to a positive pressure causing thematerial therein to be ejected into the container or capsule 70. Afterguns 32 have been charged and discharged re"- spectively, the drivemeans44 is actuated causing the'drive shaft 45, connected geneva drivemember 50 and associated cam member 53 to rotate in a given direction,The pivot shaft 27 of the material handling means riding 'on the camedge 54A of the actuating means causes shaft 2 7 and connectedpickupmeans to rise. In doing so the respective arm 28, 29 andassociated pickup means 37 are raised also wherein the'aligning hole 67is raised above the locating pin 68. Rotation is prohibited due to theinterlocking relationship caused by the geneva movement. When shaft 27of the handling means has reached its uppermost position, the drive end50A of the' drive geneva'member 50 intergages with the slot 51A of theraised driven geneva member 51 causing the driven member 51 to bedisplaced in clockwise direction about pivot shaft 27' as viewed inFIGURE 1, thereby impartinga comparable -clockwise movement to therespective arms and connected pickups wherein 'the loaded chamber ismoved over an empty capsule 70 and the discharged chamber is moved overthe other supply point 58. In this position the drive is reversedcausing the geneva members 50, 51 to become disconnected ceasing furtherrotation of the respective material handling means, and at the same timecausing the pivot shaft and material handling means to be lowered underthe influence of the spring 55. As the respective material handlingmeans 32 are lowered, the'locating pin 68 engages the appropriateopening 67 of the arm of the handling means being charged to guide therespective mate rial handling means 32 to the lowered position. Inlowering the fluid pressure operation on the respective measuringchamber causes the material to be either charged or dischargedaccordingly as previously described. 1 To assure that the lowering ofthe gun 33 on each cycle of operation in preparation to charging thesame will not be received in the same area of the 'supply means in whichthe charge was received by the preceding charging operation, means areprovided for eliect'ing' incremental'rotation of the respective supplystation. This is achieved by ratcheting the respective supply means anincremental amount just prior to lowering the gun 33 thereinto. This isattained as previously described by a ratchet bar 65 connected pawl 64actuated by the rotation of the cam member 63 to alternately ratchet onesupply means and then the other on each alternatecycle operation; Toprevent anti-rotation of the respective turntable 63 and supply meanssupported thereon, a counter-rotating pawl'71 is provided. Byalternately subjecting the respective pickup guns 32 to either anegative and positive pressure the material may be either charged ordischarged therefrom, the negative pressure being maintained on'theloaded gun during movement between the supply point and the'dis'chargepoint. 7 p

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that by alternating thecharging and discharging of the respective material handling means 32simultaneously, production can be enhanced as a minimum of losttime ormotion is bad between the filling and charging operations. v

While the instant invention has been illustrated and described withrespect to a particular method and apparatus thereof, it will be readilyunderstood and appreciated that variations and modifications may bemadewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

As the described method and apparatus has been particularly describedwith respect to the handling of explosive powders or medicinal powders,the same can be utilized to remotely handle any desired material whichis supplied at one point and deposited at another point in a repetitivemanner.

What is claimed is:

1. A materiad handling apparatus for effectively picking up accuratepredetermined measures of a powder-like material and depositing saidmeasure at a predetermined point comprising a support means,

a materiad handling means movably mounted on said support means,

said material handling means including a first. shaft rotatably andreciprocally mounted on said support means,

a radially extending arm connected to said first shaft for movementtherewith,

a material pickup means conected to said arm for movement therewith,

a drive means including a power means anda drive shaft operativelyconnected thereto,

coupling means for operatively connecting said first shaft in drivingrelationship with said drive shaft, actuating means connected to saiddrive shaft for effecting reciprocation of the first shaft between araised and lowered position, and said coupling means being renderedoperative to effect the drive of said material handling means when saidactuating means has'reciprocated said shaft of said handling means toits raised position, and inoperative non-driving position in the loweredposition of said material handling means.

2. The invention as defined in claim land including means for effectingaccurate alignment of said material handling means in the pickup anddischarging positions thereof.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said aligning meansincludes a locating pin positioned on said suppording means adjacent thepickup and discharging positions of said material handling means, andmeans defining an opening formed in said radial arm for receiving saidpin when said'radial'arm has moved to said pickup and dischargingpositions.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 and including means defining acontainer for containing a supply of 7 5. The invention as defined inclaim 4 wherein said latter means includes a reciprocating ratchet pawl,,4

and said container support means including aseries of ratchet teethadapted to be engaged by said pawl.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said material pickupmeans includes a tubular member connected to said arm,

a means defining an end wall spaced from the end of said tubular memberto define a measuring chamber in the end of said tubular member,

said end wall being rendered pervious to air and impervious to thematerial being handled,

and means connecting said tubular member to a source of air pressure.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said latter meansincludes means for alternately subjecting said tubular member to anegative pressure to charge said chamber with a measured amount ofmaterial, and subjecting said tubular member to a positive pressure forejecting said material from said chamber.

8. An apparatus for repetitively picking up, transporting andpositioning material in'a predetermined manner comprising a supportmeans including a rotatable and reciprocally mounted shaft,

a plurality of angularly disposed arms mounted -on said shaft formovement about its axis of rotation a predetermined angular amount,

means defining at least two spaced sources of supply for the material tobe handled disposed to either side of said rotatable shaft,

means defining a discharge station disposed between said supply means,

. an alternating pick-up and discharging means connected to each of saidangularly disposed arms,

said pickup and discharging means being arranged so that when one ofsaid pickup means is disposed in alignment with a supply means, theother is disposed in alignment with the discharge station,

drive means for eifecting the rotation of said arms and connected pickupand discharging means alternately between one of said supply means andsaid discharge station, whereby one of said pickup means is ejecting thematerial at the discharge station as the other is picking up a measuredamount at one of the supply means and means responsive to said drivemeans for reciprocating said shaft and connected arms for movementtoward and away from said supply means and said discharge station.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 and including means for rotatablyjournalling each of said supply means,

and means responsive to said drive means to efiect alternate incrementalrotation of each of said supply means.

10. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said drive meansincludes a drive shaft and a reversible power source to oscillate saiddrive shaft about its axis of-rotation,

and means for intermittently connecting said drive shaft in drivingrelationship to said arms and connected pickup means.

11. The invention as defined in claim 8 and including means which lockssaid arms and connected pickup means against rotation until said armsand connected pickup means are moved away from its respective supplymeans and discharge stations.

12. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said pickup anddischarge means includes an elongated tubular member, and i a pistondisposed within said tubular member,

'said piston being formed of a material pervious to air;

said piston being spaced from the end of said tubular member defining ameasuring chamber adaptedto receive a predetermined measure of thematerial to be handled, and means adapted to connect said tubular memberto a source of fluid pressure.

13. The'invention as defined in claim 12 and including means operativelyassociated with said piston for effecting the adjustment thereof to varythe volume of said measuring chamber formed in the end of said tubularmember.

14. The invention as defined in claim 12 and including means forconnecting said chamber to a negative pressure source in the pickupposition thereof and to a positive pressure source in the dischargeposition thereof.

15. An apparatus for eifectively picking up, transporting andpositioning accurate predetermined amounts of a powder-like materialcomprising a support means,

a material handling means movably mounted on said support means,

said material handling means including a first shaft rotatably andreciprocally mounted on said support means,

a plurality of angularly disposed arms having their adjacent endportions connected to said first shaft,

1 I an alternating pickup and discharging gun means connected adjacentthe free end of said arms, 1 said pickup and discharging gun means eachcomprising a tubular member, a

means defining an end wall spaced from the end of saidtubular member todefine a measuring chamber on one side thereof, 1

said end wall being formed of a material pervious to air and imperviousto the powdered-like material,

means connecting the other side of said end wall to a source of airpressure,

at least two supply means for containing a supply of said powdered-likematerial oppositely disposed to either side of said support means,

means 'defininga discharge station for said pickup and dispensing means,disposed between said opposed supply means,

a drive means for operatively rotating said arms and connected pickupand discharging gun means in unison between one of said supply means andthe discharge station,

said drive means including a drive shaft and a reversible power sourceoperatively connected thereto,

actuating means operatively associated with said drive means foreffecting reciprocation of said first shaft and connected arms towardand away from said supply means and discharge station respectively,

and a coupling means for connecting said drive shaft and said firstshaft into driving relationship as the latter is raised by saidactuating means.

16. The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein said coupling meansincludes a driver member fixed to said drive shaft, and a complementarydriven member fixed to said first shaft,

Said driver member and driving means having complementary interengagingmeans whereby the rotatory motion of said drive shaft is transmitted tosaid first shaft when in the raised position thereof.

17. The invention as defined in claim 16 and including means forrotatably supporting each of said supply means,

means responsive to said drive means to effect alternate incrementalrotation of the respective supply means.

18. An apparatus for effecting picking up a predetermined amount ofpowdered-like material and predeterminately positioning saidpredetermined amount of material at a point remote from the supply ofsaid material comprising a housing,

a shaft rotatably supported on said housing and reciprocally mountedwith respect thereto,-

a plurality of angularly disposed arms journalled to said shaftformovement therewith,

amaterial pickup and discharge means connected to each of said arms,

eachof said' pickup and discharge means comprising a gun having an outerelongated tubular member,

anend wall disposed intermediate said tubular member to define'ameasuring chamber in the end thereof, said end wall being formed .-of amaterial pervious to air and impervious to the powered material, meansconnecting the other end :ofthe end wall to a source of air pressure, 1a pair of supply means for containing a supply of said powderedmaterial, one of said supply meansrbeing disposed on either end of saidhousing, meansdefining a discharge station for said pickup and dischargemeans disposed between said opposed supply means, v-- means forrotatably journalling said powdered material incremented amounts, 1 -adrive means for effecting the rotation of said arms and connected pickupand discharge means alternately between one of said supply means andsaid discharge stations whereby when one of said: pickup means isejecting the material at the discharge station the other is picking up ameasured amount of-material at one of the supply means, saiddrive meansincluding a drive shaft journalled within said housing, i a reversiblepower means operatively connected to said drive shaft to'eifect thedrive thereof, 7 complementary coupling means for connecting said driveshaft in driving'relationship to said first mentioned shaft, 1 v .1 saidcomplementary coupling means-including a'driving geneva member connectedto said drive shaft, a driven geneva-member connected to said firstmentioned shaft, and an actuating-means connected to said drive shaftfor effecting the reciprocation of said first mentioned shaft toward andaway from said supply means, and means operatively connected to saidactuating means to impart alternate incremental rotation to each of saidsupply means. a

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,004,053 9/1911 Madgett 141-24s1,331,235 2/1920 Bristow '221 211 1,959,453 5/1934 Wilson '222 440 XR2,097,887 11/1937 Lacey 222' 136 2,540,059 1/1951 Stirn et a1. 222494 XR2,652,161 9/1953 Herzig et a1. 221 211 2,809,769 10/1957 Clarke et a1.221-211 XR 2,921,721 1/1960 Brooks 222 194-XR 3,145,881 8/1964 Moore eta1, 222-4401XR 3,152,720 10/1964 Maloney et al. '221 211XR WALTER SOBIN,Primary Examiner U.S'.Cl.'X.R. 222 145, 194, 373

